The PLA at Home and Abroad - Strategic Studies Institute - U.S. Army

ernment has cracked down on several separatist organizations
set up by ‘Eastern Turkestan’ activists. Some
‘Eastern Turkestan’ armed terrorists have also appeared
in Chechnya, Afghanistan and other Central Asian nations.
Therefore, it is not hard to understand why the
‘Peace Mission-2010’ military drill, in which all SCO
members will participate, is to be held in the Otar range
near the border of China and Kazakhstan. 76
Finally, in another “first,” small elements from
Chinese “mountain troops” and the Romanian armed
forces conducted a mountain training event in western
Romania from September 14-23, 2009. The training
was reported to focus on “climbing, shooting, mountain
rescues, and field drills.” 77 Reporting does not indicate
the parent organization of the Chinese troops.
OTHER COMBINED GROUND FORCE
TRAINING ACTIVITIES
PLA personnel have taken part in numerous other
training events with foreign countries that go beyond
military diplomacy and routine visits and exchanges.
Such activities include participation in international
military skills competitions and topical workshops,
as well as receiving and providing military training
in foreign countries. These events allow the PLA to
observe and learn from others and for outsiders also
to learn about PLA doctrine and capabilities.
Small PLA SOF or reconnaissance teams participated
in the Estonian Erna long-range reconnaissance
competition from 1998 to 2005. Teams from all over
the world compete in tasks lasting from 2 days to a
week including day and night cross-country movement
(orienteering), escape and evasion from enemy
forces, weapons handling, and soldier’s skills such
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